U.S. patent application number 12/798970 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-11 for side handle for a hand-held power tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hilti Aktiengesellschaft. Invention is credited to Markus Hartmann, Michael Kurz, Franz Moessnang.
Application Number | 20100282484 12/798970 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42111415 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100282484 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moessnang; Franz ; et
al. |
November 11, 2010 |
Side handle for a hand-held power tool
Abstract
A side-handle for a hand-held power tool includes a gripping
element and a fastener for fastening the side handle to the
hand-held power tool. The gripping element and the fastening means
can be pivoted with respect to each other around a rotational axis.
This rotational axis runs perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of
the gripping element and runs through an end area of the gripping
element facing away from the fastener.
Inventors: |
Moessnang; Franz;
(Landsberg, DE) ; Hartmann; Markus; (Mauerstetten,
DE) ; Kurz; Michael; (Karlsruhe, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Davidson, Davidson & Kappel, LLC
485 7th Avenue, 14th Floor
New York
NY
10018
US
|
Assignee: |
Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
Schaan
LI
|
Family ID: |
42111415 |
Appl. No.: |
12/798970 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
173/162.2 ;
16/421 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25D 2250/245 20130101;
B25F 5/026 20130101; B25F 5/006 20130101; Y10T 16/466 20150115;
B25D 17/043 20130101; B25D 2217/0092 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
173/162.2 ;
16/421 |
International
Class: |
B25D 17/04 20060101
B25D017/04; B25G 1/10 20060101 B25G001/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 17, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 002 463.8 |
Claims
1. A side handle for a hand-held power tool, comprising: a gripping
element; and a fastener for fastening the side handle to the
hand-held power tool, the gripping element and the fastener
pivotable with respect to each other around a rotational axis, the
rotational axis running perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the
gripping element and running through an end area of the gripping
element facing away from the fastener.
2. The side handle as recited in claim 1 wherein a further end area
of the gripping element facing the fastener has a return element to
drive the gripping element back into a basic position relative to
the fastener.
3. The side handle as recited in claim 1 wherein the gripping
element has a bearing defining the rotational axis around which the
gripping element can be pivoted, a connector connecting the bearing
to the fastener.
4. The side handle as recited in claim 3 wherein the bearing has at
least one elastic element coupling the connector to the gripping
element.
5. The side handle as recited in claim 3 wherein the bearing is
formed by a solid joint in the connector.
6. The side handle as recited in claim 3 wherein a return element
is installed on a further end area of the gripping element facing
the fastener, the return element engaging with the connector and
with the gripping element.
7. The side handle as recited in claim 6 wherein the return element
is formed by a spring.
8. The side handle as recited in claim 2 wherein the return element
is formed by a helical spring or a spiral spring that, with a first
surface of a first coil, is in contact with the gripping element
and which, with a second surface of a second coil, is in contact
with the connector.
9. The side handle as recited in claim 8 wherein the second surface
faces away from the connection element.
10. The side handle as recited in claim 4 wherein the elastic
element encircles the connector.
11. The side handle as recited in claim 1 further comprising an
additional mass installed on a further end area of the gripping
element facing the fastener.
12. The side handle as recited in claim 11 wherein a weight of the
additional mass is selected so that a center of gravity of the
gripping element is outside of a prescribed gripping surface.
13. The side handle as recited in claim 12 wherein the center of
gravity of the gripping element is positioned away from the
fastener by less than one-fourth of a total length of the gripping
element.
14. The side handle as recited in claim 2 wherein the return
element is formed by a spring.
15. A hand-held power tool comprising a body and a side handle
attached to the body as recited in claim 1.
Description
[0001] This claims the benefit of German Patent Application DE 10
2009 002 463.8, filed Apr. 17, 2009 and hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
[0002] The invention relates to a side handle for a hand-held power
tool.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Hand-held power tools transmit vibrations to a side handle.
Damping elements in the side handle serve to reduce the amplitude
of the vibrations on a gripping surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,807 A
describes such a handle.
[0004] The vibration-damping side handle is a compromise between
the ability to transmit forces from the user to the hand-held power
tool and the ability to reduce vibrations caused by the hand-held
power tool on the gripping surface. The transmission of forces
calls for stiff, unyielding elements. Damping, especially of
low-frequency vibrations, requires soft, yielding elements.
[0005] As an alternative, the inertia of the side handle can be
increased by raising its mass in order to improve the damping.
This, however, increases the weight of the hand-held power
tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a side
handle entailing an improved compromise between the transmission of
forces and the reduction of vibrations.
[0007] The present invention provides a side handle for a hand-held
power tool, a gripping element and a fastening means or device for
fastening the side handle to the hand-held power tool. The gripping
element and the fastening means can be pivoted with respect to each
other around a rotational axis. This rotational axis runs
perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the gripping element and
runs through an end area of the gripping element facing away from
the fastening means.
[0008] The user can grip the gripping element near its end area.
The forces that the user exerts perpendicular to the gripping
element are transmitted to the fastening means. Vibrations
introduced via the fastening means cause the gripping element to
oscillate. The amplitude of the vibrations is converted into an
oscillatory movement and its energy is dissipated and/or the
amplitude is once again released with a phase shift relative to the
vibrations.
[0009] One embodiment provides for an end area of the gripping
element facing the fastening means to have a return element to
drive the gripping element back into a basic position relative to
the fastening means. The return element can be harmonized with the
frequencies of the vibrations that occur, so that the side handle
functions as an active mass damper. An active mass damper is
resonantly excited by the vibrations, and once again releases the
vibrations with a phase shift relative to the newly occurring
vibrations, thus destructively.
[0010] One embodiment provides for the gripping element to be a
bearing that defines the rotational axis around which the gripping
element can be pivoted, and for a connection element to connect the
bearing to the fastening means. The connection element can be
rigid. Preferably, the connection element is arranged inside the
gripping bar.
[0011] One embodiment provides for the bearing to have at least one
elastic element that couples the connection element to the gripping
element. The described bearing can have a simpler construction in
comparison to a sliding bearing with precisely fitting bearing
elements. The elastic element can encircle the connection element
like a ring.
[0012] One embodiment provides for the bearing to be formed by a
solid joint in the connecting bar. This reduces the number of
elements needed, as a result of which the side handle can be
assembled more easily.
[0013] One embodiment provides for a return element to be installed
on an end area of the gripping element facing the fastening means,
said return element engaging with the connection element and with
the gripping element. The return element can be formed by a spring.
The return element can be formed by a helical spring or a spiral
spring that, with a first surface of a first coil, is in contact
with the gripping element and which, with a second surface of a
second coil, is in contact with the connection element. The second
surface can face away from the connection element.
[0014] One embodiment provides for an additional mass to be
installed on an end area of the gripping element facing the
fastening means. This additional mass increases the torque of the
oscillating gripping element. The lever action achieves a
substantial effect already with a relatively small weight.
[0015] One embodiment provides for the center of gravity of the
gripping element to be outside of a prescribed gripping
surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The description below explains the invention on the basis of
examples of embodiments and figures. The figures show the
following:
[0017] FIG. 1--a hand-held power tool;
[0018] FIG. 2--a side handle;
[0019] FIG. 3--a further embodiment of a side handle;
[0020] FIG. 4--a section through the side handle from FIG. 3;
[0021] FIG. 5--a detailed view of a side handle;
[0022] FIG. 6--a schematically depicted side handle.
[0023] Unless otherwise indicated, identical or functionally
equivalent elements are labeled with the same reference numerals in
the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a hand-held power tool 10. Instead of the
hammer drill shown by way of an example, this hand-held power tool
10 can also be, for instance, a power drill, a chiseling hammer, an
electric screwdriver or a disk grinder. The hand-held power tool 10
has a handle 11 and an additional side handle 13 near a tool
receptacle 12. The side handle 13 can preferably be detachably
fastened to the hand-held power tool 10, for example to a body or
housing of the power tool. The side handle 13 makes it easier for
users to position the hand-held power tool 10 since they can hold
the machine with both hands, especially in the case of heavy
hand-held power tools 10.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of an embodiment of the side
handle 13. The side handle 13 has a tightening collar 14 by means
of which the side handle 13 can be attached to the hand-held power
tool 10. The tightening collar 14 defines the orientation of the
side handle 13 along an axis 15. When the side handle 13 is
fastened to the hand-held power tool 10, this axis 15 can be
parallel to the striking direction or direction of action 16 of the
hand-held power tool 10. Instead of the tightening collar 14, the
side handle 13 can also be fastened to the hand-held power tool 10
by a screwed connection or by another suitable fastening means.
[0026] The side handle 13 comprises a gripping bar 17 with a
gripping surface 18. A user can grasp, at least partially, around
the gripping surface 18. A plastic that is well tolerated by the
skin can be sprayed around the gripping bar 17, thus creating the
gripping surface 18. The gripping surface 18 can be shaped to match
the anatomical shape of the hand. Consequently, this can create a
grip for the thumb and index finger.
[0027] The gripping bar 17 can be configured to be hollow like a
gripping sleeve 19. The gripping bar 17 is approximately
perpendicular to the axis 15. A first end 20 of the gripping bar 17
faces the tightening collar 14, while a second end 21 of the
gripping bar 17 faces away from the tightening collar 14.
[0028] The gripping bar 17 is mounted so as to pivot with respect
to the tightening collar 14 around a rotational axis 22. The
rotational axis 22 runs through the second end 21 of the gripping
bar 17 and is essentially parallel to the axis 15. A bearing 23,
for example, is installed in the gripping bar 17 on the second end
21. The bearing 23 has a first bearing element 24 and a second
bearing element 25, both of which can be rotated with respect to
each other at least around the rotational axis 22. The first
bearing element 24 is joined torsionally stiffly to the gripping
bar 17, for example, to the gripping sleeve 19. The second bearing
element 25 is joined to the tightening collar 14 via a connecting
bar 26. The connecting bar 26 can be made of a stiff material. The
connecting bar 26 can be arranged inside the gripping sleeve 19.
The first end 22 of the gripping bar 17 is at a such a distance
from the tightening collar 14 that the first end 22 can be moved
with respect to the tightening collar 14 in a rotational movement
around the rotational axis 22. A sealing element 27, for instance,
a felt ring or a bellows, can be provided on the tightening collar
14, thus sealing an interstice 28 that is formed between the
tightening collar 14 and the first end 20.
[0029] A spring 29 is provided on the first end 20 of the gripping
bar 17. The spring 29 exerts a force 30 onto the gripping bar 17
essentially along the axis 15 of the connecting bar 26. The spring
29 functions like a return element that drives the gripping bar 17
back into a basic position after the latter has been pivoted with
respect to the connecting bar 26. The spring 29 can exert
compressive and/or torsional forces. Preferably, the spring 29 is
configured such that it does not exert any force if the gripping
bar 17 and the connecting bar 26 are positioned parallel to each
other.
[0030] A mass body 31 can be arranged on the first end 20. The
weight of the mass body 31 is selected in such a way that the
center of gravity 32 of the gripping bar 17 is outside of the
gripping surface 18. The mass body 31 can be integrated inside an
anti-slip device 33 on the first end 20.
[0031] A deflection of the gripping bar 17 can be prevented by
means of stop elements 34. The stop element 34 can be formed, for
example, by a projection on the connecting bar 26 or inside the
gripping bar 17. The damping can be stopped, for instance,
especially when the user pulls the hand-held power tool 10 away
from the workpiece. For this purpose, the stop element 34 can be
arranged asymmetrically to the axis 15 on one side facing the
direction of action 16 of the hand-held power tool 10 when the side
handle 13 is fastened to the hand-held power tool 10. An elastic
buffer 37 can be arranged on the stop element 34 or on a surface 36
located opposite from the stop element 34.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a side handle 38. The
structure differs from the side handle 13 described in conjunction
with FIG. 2, among other things, in terms of the design of the
bearing 39 and of the return element 40. The two embodiments can be
combined with each other, for instance, by replacing the bearing
and/or the return element.
[0033] The bearing 39 consists of a first bearing shell 41, a
second bearing shell 42 and a spring element 43. The first bearing
shell 41 is formed by an end piece 44 of the connecting bar 26. The
end piece 44 has a depression 45, for example, a ring-shaped or
star-shaped depression 45. The second bearing shell 42 can be
formed by an inner contour 46 of the second end 21. The spring
element 43 can be formed by elastic elements, for instance, a ring
made of an elastic plastic. The spring element(s) engage(s) with
the opposing depressions 45, 46 of the two bearing shells 41,
42.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a possible embodiment of the elastic element 47
and of the bearing shells 41, 42, in the cross section along the
plane A-A from FIG. 3.
[0035] Another embodiment provides for the bearing to be configured
as a solid joint 48. The solid joint 48 is shown in a cross section
in FIG. 5. The connecting bar 49 is made of an elastic material.
The second end 21 of the gripping bar 17 is positioned positively
and/or non-positively on the connecting bar 49 at a connection site
50, for example, by means of a clamped or screwed connection. The
connecting bar 49 is configured so as to be thinner in an area 51.
The cross section surface in the thinner area 51 is selected in
such a way that the connecting bar 49 essentially bends only in
this thinner area 51 when forces are exerted. The thinner area 51
is in the area of the second end 21 of the gripping bar 17.
[0036] The return element 40 comprises a helical spring 52. A
longitudinal axis 53 of the helical spring 52 is co-linear with the
connecting bar 26. A surface of the first coil 54 of the helical
spring 52 facing the longitudinal axis 53 touches the connecting
bar 26. A surface of the second coil 55 of the helical spring 52
facing away from the longitudinal axis 53 touches the gripping bar
17. When the handle 15 is deflected with respect to the connecting
bar 26, a shear force is exerted on the helical spring 52. The
helical spring 52 counteracts the shear force with a corresponding
counterforce. The helical spring 52 can be clamped by means of a
first bridge 56 to the connecting bar 26 and by means of a second
bridge 57 in the gripping bar 17 along the longitudinal axis
53.
[0037] FIG. 6 schematically shows a side handle 58. This side
handle 58 comprises a fastening means or device 59 and a gripping
element 60 having a first end 61 and a second end 62. The gripping
element 60 encompasses a bearing 63 and a return element 64. The
fastening device 59 can be, for instance, a tightening collar. The
gripping element 60 is such that a user can hold onto a hand-held
power tool 10 by means of said gripping element 60. The first end
61 of the gripping element 60 faces the fastening device 59, while
the second end 62 of the gripping element 60 faces away from the
fastening device 59. The bearing 63 is arranged in or on the second
end 62. A connecting element 65 couples the bearing 63 to the
gripping element 60 so that it can rotate around a rotational axis
66 that is oriented essentially perpendicular to the connecting
element 65. The rotational axis 66 runs through the second end 62,
that is to say, through the bearing 63. The return element 64 is
arranged in or on the first end 61. The return element 64 exerts a
force onto the first end 61 when it is deflected relative to the
connecting element 65.
[0038] The gripping element 60 can have an additional mass 67 on
the first end 61. Owing to this additional mass 67, the center of
gravity 68 of the gripping element 60 is outside of a prescribed
gripping area 69 of the gripping element 60 provided for the user
to grasp. gripping purposes. The outer contour of the gripping
element is divided into an inner area 70 and a gripping surface 71.
The inner area 70 can form the first end 61. The length 72 of the
inner area 70 can be less than 50 percent, preferably less than 25
percent, of a total length 73 of the gripping element. The weight
of the additional mass 67 is selected in such a way that the center
of gravity 68 is within the inner area 70. The first weight m of
the additional mass 67 can be chosen as a function of the second
weight M of the entire gripping element 60. The ratio of the first
weight m to the second weight M can be at least 0.2 and at most
1.0, for instance, at least 0.5.
* * * * *